- Title: JAPAN: "Memories of a Geisha" has its world premieres in Japan
- Date: 1st December 2005
- Summary: CLOSE OF SIGNBOARD OF SAYURI
- Embargoed: 16th December 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Reuters ID: LVA4MN498ESWJIGYH9KAZBAAF7CF
- Story Text: Some of Asia's most glamorous movie stars swept up the red carpet to Tokyo's national sumo stadium on Tuesday (November 29) for the world premiere of the latest Japan-themed Hollywood epic, "Memoirs of a Geisha". But the film -- described by leading actress Ziyi Zhang as a great opportunity for Asian actors to show their mettle -- has sparked anger in Japan and China ahead of its December 10 release. Critics in both countries are unhappy that the movie's main characters, practitioners of Japan's traditional arts of music and dance, are played by Chinese nationals or ethnic Chinese. The casting riles those Japanese who want to see an accurate portrayal of their country's demure, kimono-clad performers, and infuriates those Chinese who harbour bitter feelings over Japan's 1931-1945 occupation of parts of their country. "I think it retains the essence of the book, but specifically because it is condensed, there are things you have to do," director Rob Marshall told Reuters as he arrived for the premiere. "...for instance, Hatsumomo's demise is very different in the movie in than in the book, because the book has many chapters to sort of see her unravel and this is a much more operatic ending to her character," he added. Japanese actor Ken Watanabe told Reuters it was all just a big dramatic and decadent opera. "I realize that this is an opera. Yes a very beautiful opera, and so sad, and beautiful and good sound and good costumes. Yes all combined with a decadence. It is an amazing opera. We present it," he said. But for Japanese TV commentator David Spector the cross-cultural role playing was unavoidable. "The cross cultural roles have been a long standing tradition, custom in Hollywood forever," he told Reuters. "Of course the Japanese look a little bit odd. The mannerisms are something you are born with, you know, at least from childhood. The accent will have chinese elements to it. And the gestures will be a little bit off. But what can you do about it," he said. "If you are going to complain then perhaps you should have had enough Japanese actresses on board or waiting in the wings, but they didn't. So who's fault is that?" Spector said. Zhang plays Sayuri, a girl sold by her poor fisherman father into a geisha house in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, where she transforms herself into a legend of the mysterious "floating world" of entertainment in the 1930s. Her female co-stars are Gong Li of China and Michelle Yeoh, an ethnic-Chinese Malaysian, although Sayuri's love interest is played by Japan's Ken Watanabe. The movie was shot mainly in California, and the actresses were forced to try to assimilate in weeks the skills that geisha spend their lives perfecting - something some actresses found very hard. "The world of the geisha is really quite a mystery and though we've been studying about it, there is so much to learn, so many layers. Its like the layers of the kimono, every time you put one on, there's another to go on and another layer to go on," Michelle Yeoh told Reuters. "It was a huge, tremendous challenge on that part," she said. Clad in a ball gown with black bodice and bright green skirt, the slender Zhang picked her way into the stadium usually associated with the bulky fighters of one of Japan's national sports. The film, based on the best-selling novel of the same name and at one point set to be directed by Steven Spielberg, has generated huge public interest in Japan, but may be something of a gamble for backers Sony Pictures. Alienating Japanese moviegoers, who form the second biggest market for Hollywood films, would be fatal for a lavish production reported to have cost 85 million in U.S. dollars. Some Japanese have already reacted angrily to the liberties the movie takes with traditional costume and dance -- one blogger suggested boycotting the movie. A furious Chinese blogger said Zhang deserved to be "hacked to death" for taking the role. "Every Japanese character in the movie speaks English," said 73-year-old retiree Hisashi Tano, who was waiting to see the premiere. "I cannot deny that I was a little bit bothered by that." On the other hand, Zhang has many admirers in Japan, where she appears in television commercials. "I think foreign viewers such as American or European will be fascinated to Japanese Women's looks by their black hair, " said 75-year old Toki Kawano who watched the movie on its premiere day. And the Japanese have a record of welcoming Hollywood versions of their culture. Industry reports said "The Last Samurai" (2003), starring Tom Cruise, grossed more in Japan than in the United States.
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